bead it

i have zero need for another clutch in my wardrobe (i've recently lost count), but i am constantly falling for all the chic options out there. this one from asos reminds me of a certain must-have stella mccartney clutch -- i love the colorful embellishments, and the price tag is much easier on my wallet. i would wear it with matching red lips and my favorite easy basics:

{ proenza schouler top, $280 // acne jeans, $250 // mac lipstick in lady danger, $16 // dannijo necklace, $524 // asos clutch, $65 // audrey brooke booties, $39 (i bought and love!) }

II emily

snow bunny

$32, asos

for the price of one dinner out, i think we could all stand to make room for this quirky bag in our wardrobes. it would be a nice twist on my winter uniform (big sweaters + sparkly earrings + flats) which is starting to feel a little boring!

 

{ alice + olivia top, j brand jeans, auden earrings, essie nail polish in russian roulette, asos bag, jeffrey campbell flats }

II emily

michael kors pre-fall 2014

tomboy glamour, perfected: oversized coats, a divine mix of colors (ice blue, camel, red and navy? yes!) charming embellishments, clever fabrics (like brocade, cotton and fur), mannish flats and messy ponies. it's exactly what i want to wear this season.

get the look: white out

images via could i have that?

sometimes it's the simple looks that strike me the most. this outfit is pretty much exactly how i want to dress this season (and next season, for that matter). a crisp white coat, high-rise denim, a soft cardigan, statement heels and a black tote are a foolproof combination. get the look with these pieces (at every price point) below:

1. harlowe and graham coat, $70 (same jacket seen above)

2. guess double breasted boucle coat, $159 (on sale)

3. isabel marant calf-hair trimmed wool coat, $1,575

4. old navy v-neck cardigan, $25 (same cardi seen above)
5. ami dans la rue open cardigan, $180
6. marc jacobs angora-blend cardigan, $1,100
7. j.crew toothpick jean in distressed cone wash, $75 (use the code HOLIDAY)*
8. rag & bone mid-rise skinny jeans, $200
9. goldsign "the glam" jeans, $238
9.  j.crew falsetto silk pumps, $208 (use the code HOLIDAY)*
10. loeffler randall "charlotte" d'orsay pump, $350
11. tabitha simmons strappy heel, $1,245 (same shoes seen above)
12. mansur gavriel large tote, $435
13. alice.d leather tote, $495
14. saint laurent sac de jour tote, $2,550

*get 30% off these pieces + everything else at j.crew with the code HOLIDAY

leg warmers

image via pinterest

this post is dedicated to leggings. yes... leggings. 

i know it's been a while since leggings were cool -- we can thank the leggings-as-pants phenomenon for that -- but let's be honest. we all still wear leggings. what's better than a giant thick sweater, soft leggings, leather boots and a cozy scarf in the middle of winter? or even just when you're lounging on the couch watching a movie?! leggings are great. they're necessary.

however, no one ever said leggings are warm. the temperatures have really dipped here in new york (we're talking 20 degrees) and the insane gusts of wind we've been having make it feel a thousand times colder. when i was walking near lincoln center last night, i legitimately thought the wind might knock me over. 

ironically enough, i was on my way to bed bath & beyond to pick up a space heater for my private igloo bedroom. while i was wandering around the store (because how can you not wander aimlessly around BBB?) i discovered something truly amazing. 

fleece-lined leggings. 

they were hanging inconspicuously near the bedroom section (really emphasizing the "beyond" here) and at first glance, i thought they were going to be awful -- a thick, cheap, scratchy disaster. what a terrible gimmick! but no, i was wrong. these are the best leggings i have ever owned; they're thick but not too thick, flattering, totally opaque, and insanely warm. the fleece on the inside is thin enough that it doesn't add bulk, but it's as soft as cashmere. these leggings would actually stand up to a windy day in the city. i bought the space-dyed charcoal color, but i'm planning on heading back next weekend to pick up several black pairs. for $10, i highly suggest you do the same.

if you can't get to a BBB, these styles from anthropologie and target sound nearly identical, and these waffle leggings by splendid might be a nice update, too. shop even more styles below...

II emily

seasonal sparkle

j.crew jeweled sweater, on sale for $103.50 (orig. $138)*

there's nothing like a j.crew sale to get you in the holiday spirit. while clicking through their "winter favorites" -- which are all 25% off with the code WINTER (*UPDATE: as of 11/25, the entire site is 25% off with the code GETGIFTING) -- i stumbled upon this holiday-ready sweater with all of my favorite things: a festive fair isle print, colorful jewels, bold stripes, and deep fall colors. paired with ankle boots, a fuzzy hat and leopard pouch, it might just be the perfect look for shopping, catching up with friends, cooking christmas dinner, swilling cocktails, and everything else the season entails...

 

{ j.crew jeweled sweater, $103.50 // iris & ink jeans, $105 // club monaco hat // bite beauty lipstick in "brick red," $24 // madewell clutch, $78 // madewell boots, $228 (also here) }

II emily

odds & ends

a few recent additions... becca's "the one" beauty brush (thanks to my mom) which ingeniously works with liquids, creams, powders, bronzers, and highlighters, essentially negating the need for any other brush; the $9 asos pearl earrings i mentioned in this post; this epic lucite and gem-studded j.crew cuff, which was a gift from my boyfriend (what can i say, i've trained him well!); and my new favorite perfume, see by chloé paint-a-scent. 

i have to admit i was initially intrigued by little brush applicator -- you brush it onto your skin like nail polish -- but the scent inside is just as charming. with notes of bergamot, apple, jasmine, ylang, vanilla and musk, it's a playful mix of masculine and feminine -- as it turns out, the perfect scent for me. until i purchased this at sephora last week, i hadn't bought a new perfume in years (i've been alternating between trish mcevoy sexy 9 and the addictive original chloé) and this was a welcome change.

II emily

girl with a pearl earring

it's been a while since the "mise en dior" pearl earrings made a splash. i saw them in countless magazine editorials, on the ears of jennifer lawrence and natalia vodianova, and, of course, in the stunning advertisements, above. i became instantly obsessed with the black-and-cream variety, especially after spotting them in one of harper's bazaar editor nicole fritton's "must have" shopping lists. these earrings are at once graphic, classic, and sweetly feminine. they ring in at $350 (which is actually pretty amazing) but you can imagine my excitement when i discovered these lookalikes at ASOS for just $9.

not only did these earrings go right into my cart, but i seriously considered buying them in bulk -- they would make a lovely gift for any fashion-minded friend, and i would never have to worry about misplacing mine. for that price tag, i may just have to stock up.

II emily

shoesday tuesday: fall edition

just a few shoes i'm loving right now... chic little go-with-everything leopard pumps, the perfect black ankle boots (mine are starting to look pretty bad), high-shine scalloped sandals for next spring, and edgy pumps that look comfortable enough for a day at the office or a night on the town.

II emily

censored

{ cynthia rowley tee }

it's only a matter of time before i pull the trigger on this cynthia rowley tee (also available here). i've been eyeing it for months. how good would it be for a lazy sunday in boyfriend jeans, flats and a sweater? or dressed up with leather pants and a blazer? the options are endless. 

and i mean, it's kind of perfect for me -- i'm a bit of potty mouth, but i'm constantly trying to hide it. i'm making progress!

winter re-vamp

{pictured: just a few of my must-haves... equipment cardigan, rag & bone jeans, c.wonder earrings, rgb nail polish, 3.1 phillip lim clutch, rms living luminizer, elizabeth arden 8 hour cream, report flats}

while i'm definitely excited for all of the fall trends, the truth is, i've been looking at these clothes since february — at some point, it starts to feel a little tired. which is why i am on a mission to find perfect, high-quality classics that will keep me going all season long.

for starters, i'm a huge sucker for cashmere sweaters – i have more than i can physically count – but i recently realized they're all pullovers or v-necks. no variety there. i'm hoping to switch up my game this season with a perfectly slouchy cardigan, and this equipment one is looking pretty dreamy.

i'm also in the market for a new pair of jeans (aren't we always? ) and rag & bone is my source for the very best denim. i'm hoping i have time to stop by their nolita store one of these weekends to get a pair. i'm a skinny-jeans-only girl, and these have the perfect rise, super-slim legs and a flattering dark wash.

another wardrobe staple for me? ballet flats. while i amassed quite the collection of j.crew statement sandals this summer (like these and these) i tend to wear ballet flats almost every day. (you can imagine how cold my feet get in the winter). i've been obsessed with these vince flats for quite a while – the pointy toe and d'orsay style are a nice departure from my standard ballets. since i haven't wanted to splurge, i was happy to discover this identical pair by report. they look strikingly similar and are beyond comfortable (yes, i've tried them on a few times). they also come in this super cute leopard style.

as for the earrings, they're from c. wonder and i am in love. (thanks, liz!) the $38 price tag makes them almost too good to be true. they look cute with everything, from a leather jacket and skirt to my favorite sweatshirt and jeans. i suggest you get yourself a pair.

next: do i need a furry clutch? i certainly do not. but that didn't stop me from falling hard for this phillip lim bag, $500 price tag and all. it's everything i want in a clutch – large, simple, functional –  and it's fuzzy. what could be better? now, how can i make this happen…

when it comes to beauty, i'm all about maintaining a solid routine. even though my skin gets drier in the winter, i'll still be using my favorite products – including boots botanics rose hip facial oil, origins brightening eye cream, boscia tinted moisturizer, origins mascara (i'll never go back to chemical mascaras), kerastase cristalliste shampoo, lancome flash bronzer lotion, neutrogena pressed powder (i love the finish), and nars laguna bronzing powder. i've used all of these for years, but i'm constantly trying new products, whether i'm stopping by sephora on the weekend or snagging free samples from work. in terms of new discoveries, i recently added elizabeth arden 8-hour cream to my arsenal (yeah, i'm about 10 years late) and i think i've found the perfect crimson polish in rgb's "classic red." my other new favorite thing is my rms living luminizer, which adds a glow in one swipe and includes just four all-natural ingredients. 

how are you updating your winter look?

II emily

style 101 c/o tommy ton

when you work in fashion, you see a lot of things. a lot of beautiful, amazing, way-out-of-your-league things. you start to rationalize spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on "that perfect sweater/bag/shoe/etc" because hello, it's perfect, while at the same time you start to feel like you have no style whatsoever. (not to be dramatic or anything...) try it out: surround yourself with a few dozen fashion editors, lithe models, and chic new yorkers in general, and you will feel like you can't compete!

this rings especially true when you click through tommy ton's street style photos (also mentioned in my last post). if you get snapped by the elusive tommy, you deserve a cupcake or seven because you are one stylish gal. me? i'm still waiting to make the cut. but i can certainly learn a thing or two about adopting a unique sense of style by checking out his latest crop of images, taken at the spring '14 shows in new york, london, milan and paris. 

let's begin.

LESSON #1: wear a slip dress, and wear it with an oversized sweater.

in case you are seriously living under a rock, you should know the 90s are back and, in some ways, they're better than ever. take my advice and forgo the acid wash mom jeans, neon high-tops and crop tops; instead, try the most elegant and understated piece from that wonderfully terrible decade: the slip dress. it's demure, it's sexy, it's minimal. but don't underestimate the sweater. without a chunky sweater (or a loose blazer, or a sweatshirt, or whatever else you're feeling – as long as it's substantial) the look veers into neglige/baby spice territory. don't channel baby spice. hanneli mustaparta, above, looks stunning in her printed louis vuitton slip, but I have my eye on this (crazy-affordable) black zara one (this one is good too).with a little black dress, giant sweater/sweatshirt/jacket possibilities are endless. 

LESSON #2: mix it up. 

there are few things i want more right now than this bedazzled 3.1 phillip lim "i heart nueva york" t-shirt. it kind of captures this precise moment in fashion, and as such i want to wear it like the girl above – with a mash-up of other unexpected things, like a flippy tulip skirt, tough leather jacket, a stack of bracelets and probably some mirrored sunglasses, too. less can definitely be more, but in this case, it pays to pile it on.

LESSON #3: when all else fails, wear all black and/or copy emmanuelle alt.

i don’t know if you can get away with it everywhere, but black-on-black-on-black is really the easiest way ever to get dressed, and it will always look chic, 100% of the time. the reason i don’t think this is necessarily a universal rule is that i never even considered wearing all-black in my hometown of indianapolis; it would read as dark, moody, even a little "goth." if you wear all black in indiana, chances are your friends will ask if you're heading to a funeral. but in new york? london? paris? chicago? LA? not the case. but be bold. wear black wherever you want! chicness knows no bounds. mix up the textures and try this quilted jacket, kitten heels like these or these, and cuffed jeans for a look similar to emannuelle's, above.

LESSON #4: go grey early.

as stated above, all-black is always awesome. it is perennially chic. it is flattering. it is powerful. but maybe i want something a little softer, a little more plush… enter: all-grey. i love this look above -- it's everything i want to wear this season (chunky sweater, structured skirt, giant clutch and subtle heels). i would pair this knit (a size or two up) with this skirt for the ultimate winter minimalist outfit. 

LESSON #5: think (baby) pink.

pale pink is my favorite color, but i'm not the only one -- i could hardly click through style.com or any blogs without seeing someone decked out in the cotton candy hue. pale pink coats are huge for fall (i snagged the perfect one from zara that is now unavailable, but you can get a similar one here, here and here) and alexander wang is doing pale pink bags and accessories for spring. it is universally flattering (your skin will glow next to, say, a pale pink cashmere sweater) and it goes with a range of colors -- like burgundy, navy, black, and dark gray as well as other pastels like pale blue, lilac and dandelion. avoid looking like an infant with some sleek accessories, or dress it down with some ripped denim. 

all images via tommy ton for style.com

back in black

image via tommy ton for style.com

despite the parade of mind-boggling outfits you see in tommy ton's street style photos on style.com (neon-rainbow hair, basketball jersey-dresses, mickey mouse ears, etc...) this particular image caught my eye. not only has this girl mastered the art of draping a jacket over your shoulders (something i still can't quite figure out) and not only has she effortlessly combined leather, floral prints, metallic gold, and earthy rings (just a few of my favorite things), but the the moto jacket itself, the essential piece for the fall season, looks like the richest, softest, most perfect moto jacket you've ever seen. i momentarily forgot about the perfectly good (faux) leather jacket hanging in my closet, but quickly assumed this  jacket was probably by a luxe designer and subsequently out of my price range. 

that is, until liz sent me the following text message: "i need a faux leather jacket! it's your job to find me the best one out there." in my opinion, the essentialness of a black leather jacket cannot be stressed enough, so i happily obliged. i started searching for chic, affordable options for her when voila -- my dream jacket appeared. right before my eyes. and not at barneys. or net-a-porter. but at zara.

that's right: this supple jacket is faux leather and guess what? it looks even better in real life. this piece is sure to become my new go-to, but i found about ten equally lust-worthy options during my search. it turns out zara is really the only place worth looking for a good leather jacket; i'm tempted to get this quilted one as well, or maybe this bomber style, and if you're looking for something a little more basic, this one and this one are perfect starting points.

stripes and spots

{ alexander wang top, frame denim jeans (also own & love these), marc jacobs sunglasses, michael kors watch, shashi earrings, c wonder clutch, loeffler randall sandals } 

every time i walk by a c.wonder store i just barely resist picking up this chic leopard and striped clutch. i've been looking for a leopard bag to add to my arsenal, and not only is this the perfect shape, but the stripes are the perfect extra detail. this clutch would look especially chic with my everyday essentials, like light wash jeans (of which i have far too many), sleek jewelry, and a simple top. 

shop the clutch here or head to your local c.wonder to snag it in person. i'll be doing the same this week.

II emily

gypset

{ images via sincerely jules }

a few days ago, liz told me about her sudden dire need for an antik batik clutch. as you may recall, i was lucky enough to be given my very own oversized clutch last winter -- in fact, it looks a lot like the one above, with mostly red, green and turquoise embroidery. liz stumbled upon these photos and was instantly inspired to get her very own bold, multi-colored, pom-pom bag and wear it with her (extensive) collection of striped tees. together we scoured the internet for a good hour looking for antik batik options online, but since every bag is unique, you never quite know what you're going to get  -- but that mystery is kind of intriguing, too.

as luck would have it, she snagged the very last antik batik "banjo" clutch from shopbop (it is no longer on the site, but it's the cute little bag i blogged about here) and we're both pretty excited to get it in the mail. it's right on track with the parisian-boho trend happening this summer, and by wearing it with more modern pieces -- like ripped jeans, striped tees and maybe a metallic shoe -- you avoid looking like an actual gypsy.

below are some of my other favorites by moyna, zara, and more, plus a few ways to wear the look...

{ clockwise from top left: bags by antik batik, matthew williamson, zara & moyna }

{ images via the man repeller and pinterest }

II emily

stud finder

zara pumps

while you're saving your pennies for those valentino rockstuds, these cute little pumps from zara should fill the void pretty nicely. i'm wearing mine with everything from jeans to flippy skirts to embroidered dresses, and the walkable heel means you can go, go, go all day long. 

get yours (on sale!) here.

roped in

everyone's loving ankle-wrap heels right now, including me (evidenced here and here), and sometimes they even veer into "leg climbing" territory (explored by marlien here). why not go all out, right? on the flip side, i'm looking back to the days of preppy ankle-wrap espadrilles like the ones j.crew used to sell. i remember being in middle school and loving the bright colors and bold patterns on their sky-high, ankle-wrap beauties. i was too young to wear clunky wedges, but i eventually begged my mom to get me a navy and pink pair when they were on sale. i then proceeded to never, ever wear them... rookie mistake! 

that being said, j.crew is getting back to basics by selling some of their classic ankle-wrap espadrilles in chic colors and lower heels. i'm loving them in black or nude; i would wear mine tied in a bow, and with something light and flowy like this...

{ karen walker sunglasses, zara dress, dannijo earrings, 

primary clutch, j.crew espadrilles }

II emily

red pop

{ images via atlantic pacific and le catch }

when it comes to bags, i stick to two extremes - my huge leather carry-all or a teeny tiny clutch or cross-body. there's no in-between. and to make matters worse, i used to have a (super boring) "neutral bags only" policy, stocking my closet with strictly cognac, black, and grey bags. as of late i've come to realize how essential a bold, attention-getting bag can be; paired with an otherwise simple outfit such as jeans, a t-shirt and flats, a pop of color changes everything. after acquiring quite the print collection (documented here), i've been on the hunt for the perfect little red bag like the ones above. a simple red bag feels all at once modern, summer-ready, and trend-proof.

the bags above are all by céline, but i have my eye on a few less expensive options: namely this clare viver fold-over, this basket weave christopher kon pouch, this studded rebecca minkoff cross-body, or this textured forever 21 cross-body. summer outfits... complete.

II emily

ice ice

i don't consider myself much of a "blue person" (unless you consider jeans, in which case i'm highly dependent) - i tend to stick to warmer tones. but after i picked up these sandals from j.crew, i've been picturing them with strictly cool shades. pale blue, turquoise, royal blue, navy, aqua... anything! plus, a metallic silver shoe is great with a variety of looks, from a sleek blazer to a loose, ultra-casual peasant top, as seen here:

{ j.crew blouse, frame jeans, madewell sunglasses, jules smith ring (love anything gemini), c.wonder earrings & bag, j.crew sandals } 

II emily

coral candy

these earrings are only $10, but they pack a serious punch. i'd wear them with jeans, a white tee & flat sandals on a rushed morning, or with something like this when i have a few more minutes...

{ j.crew embroidered top (on sale!), levi's 501 shorts, asos earrings, maison martin margiela rings, j.crew sandals (loosely inspired by these, but much easier on your wallet - plus, you can get them for 20% off by using the code SHOPNOW at checkout) }

II emily

style crush: marlien rentmeester

the premise behind le catch is surprisingly simple: marlien rentmeester finds chic (and often very affordable) pieces online, shares them with her readers, and gives them ways to wear them with curated outfit collages. it's like an online, click-able magazine, and considering marlien was one of the founders of lucky, that kind of makes perfect sense. 

i look forward to seeing marlien's picks every single day, and i always find something i want to buy (like these jeans and these shoes). her styling gives me endless new ideas for everyday outfits, i.e. pairing sexy lace-up heels with crisp white jeans, or mixing different tribal prints together. on the rare occasion marlien shares photos of herself (or, rather, photos of her appear on other blogs, like this one), the inspiration is even greater because you can see those outfits IRL! she never looks like she spends hours choosing her outfits, and her penchant for slouchy sweaters, boxy jackets, great denim, intricate embellishments, and unexpected details speaks directly to my own personal style. it's totally accessible, but so original that everyone in the industry covets her style. 

see for yourself below, and be sure to check out her blog here - but don't say i didn't warn you. it's totally addicting.

images via glitter guide, le catch & pinterest

II emily